Gut-check your career decisions

Taking a new job is a big decision. Take steps to make sure you get it right.

Your career will be made up of choices and it important to make a decision about a career move that’s in sync with your goals.

Not too long ago, a job candidate was faced with a good job offer and really had a difficult time making a decision. The conversations with the employer and the candidate’s family went back and forth for weeks. On one hand the opportunity was wonderful, an increase in compensation, the ability to work from home and the possibility of a management track were more than they had hoped for, but the level of responsibility and the size of the company were not exactly what they’d had in mind.

From the outside, the fact they were actively recruited by an employer and given an opportunity to work from home would appear to be an easy choice. But this candidate however, had taken a job early in his career that had turned out to be a disaster and ended in a mutual agreement to leave the company. He had rushed into a decision without having all the information needed such as the employer’s expectations, an understanding of the company’s products and compensation details.

A job search involves many decisions from the minute to the significant, such as accepting a new role. You want to feel good about the career decisions you’re making, and the best way to make that happen is to stay true to yourself and weigh decisions against your value system.

Here are some ideas to help with the decision-making process:

Gather as much information as possible. With a job offer, make sure you understand the expectations of the role, the career path and compensation. Avoid assumptions. Ask questions before you accept the job.

Make sure you know the company’s work culture, and determine if it aligns with your values, such as respect, growth, creativity, honesty and compensation.

Pay attention to your thoughts, and identify areas that are causing you doubt or uneasiness. When the offer is a good match for your interests and skills, you will have a sense of congruence and probably will feel at peace with accepting the position.

It helps to call on trusted friends and family to get their feedback. The more emotional a decision, the more you need to step back and get clarity.

Don’t let procrastination set in when it is time to make a decision.

Make a decision based on your values rather than convenience. It would be great to have a job, but accepting one without giving it much thought might set you up for another job search six months down the road.

The exercise of listing the pros and cons of a job can help clarify the offer and role. If you have uncertainty, you need to identify it in order to make a good decision that fits your values.